Light Up A Life 2023

Light Up A Life 2023

Light Up A Life with Rotherham Hospice

We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one. You are invited to remember your loved ones this Christmas with Rotherham Hospice.

Our Light up a Life memorial services are an opportunity to join together and remember those that are no longer with us this Winter.

 

Dedicate a Star to your loved one

For a donation of your choice, you will receive two beautiful stars, one to bring with you to the service and place on the Rotherham Hospice Christmas tree, and one to keep at home. If you are unable to attend any of the services, please send your stars to the Hospice and we will gladly display them on the tree for you.

All dedications received before the 4th December will be featured in the Rotherham Advertiser in the 14th December issue (with your permission), our Light Up a Life digital book at the Hospice and in the Light Up a Life remembrance video.

Your generous donations help us to continue our valuable work. We are incredibly grateful for any contribution you are able to make and everyone at the Hospice wishes you a peaceful festive season.

Dedicate your star

You’re invited to a Light up a Life memorial service

You are also welcome to attend one of our Light Up A Life memorial services, kindly sponsored by Oxley & Coward Solicitors. Coming together to remember our loved ones is always a special moment.

There will be music, readings, carols, candle lighting and refreshments.

  • 4pm, Thursday 7th Dec – Rotherham Hospice Gardens
  • 4pm, Saturday 9th Dec – Rotherham Hospice Gardens
  • 4pm, Sunday 10th Dec – Rotherham Minster

Your loved ones do not have to have been cared for by Rotherham Hospice to come and celebrate their life. All are welcome.

Light Up A Life pins

This year’s beautiful Light Up a Life Christmas tree pin badges are available for a donation of your choice. Get your pin:

For a donation of your choice, your Light Up A Life pin not only serves to remember your loved one, but helps Rotherham Hospice  continue our vital end-of-care services. Thank you.

Get your pin badge
Light Up A Life pin badge (1)

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you. Thank you.

How your fundraising helps Rotherham Hospice

Christmas Fair with Rotherham Hospice coming soon!

Christmas Fair with Rotherham Hospice

Christmas Fair for Rotherham Hospice

You are invited to come along to our Christmas Fair, kindly sponsored by Henry Boot Construction.

Join us at Wickersley Old Village Cricket Club for fun, food, games and more, including the return of Santa Dash!

🎅 Santa’s Grotto – due to high demand this is by reservation only. Book your Santa visit here.
🎄 Santa Dash is back – join us for a Festive Fun Run. Find out more here.
🎅 Delicious food & drink
🎄 Christmas crafts & activities
🎅 Gifts galore

🎄 Games & raffles

  

When

3rd December 2023, 12-4pm

Where

Wickersley Old Village Cricket Club

Price

FREE entry for the Christmas Fair!

Also happening at the Christmas Fair:

Christmas Santa Dash 2023

Santa Dash

3rd Dec - 12.30pm

Run or jog round our festive course and raise money for Rotherham Hospice.  

Find out more
Meet Santa at Rotherham Hospice Christmas Fair

Santa's Grotto

3rd Dec - 12-4pm

Meet Santa at our Christmas Fair

Pre-booking is essential! 

Find out more

Volunteer

Could you spare a few hours to help make the Christmas Fair a great success? 

As a charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on amazing volunteers to help to make all our events run smoothly. 

You could volunteer to:

  • don your best festive fancy dress to cheer on our Santa Dashers
  • help register our Santa Dash runners before the run begins
  • be Santa’s elf assisant
  • help with event promotion

If you would like to help the Hospice, please call 01709 308 700 and ask for fundraising, or email fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk.

Register to volunteer

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

How your fundraising helps Rotherham Hospice

Christmas Tree Collection with Rotherham Hospice

Christmas tree collection with Rotherham Hospice

Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling with Rotherham Hospice

Let Rotherham Hospice take the hassle out of disposing of your real Christmas tree. For a donation of your choice, we will collect and responsibly dispose of your real Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree collection dates are 11th, 12th and 13th January 2024.

Go to www.just-helping.org.uk/register-tree/ to find out more and book your collection now.

Choose your donation amount and help support hospice care in your community.

  • £10 could help a child cope with the loss of a loved one in our Sunbeams group – Rotherham’s only bereavement support service for children and teens.
  • £20 could pay for freshly cooked meals for a patient staying at the Hospice.
  • £50 could pay for a tank of petrol for a nurse to visit somebody in their own home.

Whatever you can donate, thank you for supporting Rotherham Hospice! 

Book your Christmas Tree Collection

Why your support matters

 

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can’t do it without our amazing supporters like you. In the past 6 months, our supporters have help with

How you've helped Rotherham Hospice

Skydive with Rotherham Hospice in 2024

skydive with rotherham hospice

Skydive 15,000ft with Rotherham Hospice!

Looking for something truly breath-taking to do in 2024? Take on a tandem skydive and raise much-needed funds for hospice care in Rotherham. The 15,000ft drop is Europe’s highest jump, there is no feeling like it!

What is tandem skydiving?

Tandem skydiving allows you to experience the thrill of freefall skydiving without any extensive training. After a short tandem briefing, you will jump harnessed to the front of a fully qualified parachuting instructor from 15,000ft.

From this height, you will enjoy one whole adrenaline-fuelled minute of freefall reaching terminal velocity at 120mph.

When & Where

Hibaldstow Airfield, Lincolnshire, DN20 9NN

  • Sunday 17th March 2024
  • Sunday 6th October 2024 

Dates may be subject to change due to adverse weather.

Price

Book your place with a deposit of just £50**, which goes towards the skydive fee of £209 (price subject to change) which must be paid in full prior to your jump.

We ask that all skydivers raise a minimum of £400 to cover the cost of the skydive and raise vital funds for Rotherham Hospice.  

And we’re here to help. Once you’ve signed up, you will automatically be given an online fundraising page to share with friends & family. We will also email you a Skydive Fundraising pack with lots of ideas and inspiration, as well as printable sponsorship forms and posters to help you on your fundraising journey.

** Deposit is non-refundable.

Sign up here

Charlie's Story

Find out more

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services. We can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Find out more about how your support impacts Rotherham families here.

£20, £50 or £100 raised could make a big difference to Rotherham Hospice

The Diamond Partners Shine a Light on Rotherham Hospice

Diamond partners shine a light on Rotherham Hospice

The Diamond Partners making a big difference to hospice care in Rotherham

 In June 2023 6 local businesses came together to form the Diamond Partners. In an inspiring act of community spirit AESSEAL, Mears, SteelPhalt, Equisolve, Hughie Construction and IPM Group put Rotherham Hospice on Rotherham United Football Club‘s official 23/24 season football kit.

Rotherham Hospice Director of Income Generation Stephen King explains the difference the Diamond Partners have had 4 months on:

The impact of the partnership has been huge. Rotherham Hospice has never had so much exposure in the local area. We are finding that conversations about the charity are a lot easier to have with businesses and supporters, as most are now aware of who we are and what we do. 

Another huge benefit of this partnership is the increase in corporate support over the past few months. We have had several companies invest in sponsorship opportunities for various events including Light Up A Life & the Christmas Fair. We have also seen an increase in the amount of companies that want to support us as their Charity of the Year.

Everyone at the Hospice is grateful to the Diamond Partners for making this happen. The level of publicity we have received as a result has been something we could not possible have achieved by ourselves.

The number of heart-warming comments supporting the initiative was overwhelming and clearly shows the unfaltering community spirit that Rotherham United fans have for Rotherham Hospice and their local community.

Increased awareness and the support that has brought means we can care for more local families at a time it matters most. So far this year:

How you've helped Rotherham Hospice

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Thank you!

The Christmas Shop is OPEN!

Christmas shop now open

The Rotherham Hospice Christmas Shop is now open! Stock up on Christmas cards, calendars and diaries and support local hospice care in Rotherham. 

Christmas Cards 

When you buy Christmas cards from Rotherham Hospice, you’re helping us support families going through an end-of-life illness, not just at Christmas but 365 days a year.

We have 8 festive designs available in our Hospice charity shops, on our website and at pop-up shops at Rotherham Hospice on 2nd, 7th and 15th November.. 

From a cheerful Santa, to traditional designs, we have cards that will bring a smile to your loved one’s face.

Each pack contains 10 beautiful Christmas cards. 

Shop now
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Rotherham Hospice landmarks calendar 2024

2024 Calendars 

Our ‘Landmarks of Rotherham’ 2024 calendar makes a wonderful gift! 

Featuring photographs of local landmarks taken by local people, this calendar looks lovely hanging on anyone’s wall. 

The pictures are also perforated and can easily be removed and turned into postcards.

Shop now

Diaries

 

Our 2024 Diaries are now available in two fresh designs! 

Cheerful light blue with with our gorgeous Hospice red sunflower.

Stylish dark green with the Hospice logo in silver. 

These diaries are the perfect size to pop into your handbag or coat pocket and get organised for 2024. 

Shop now
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Where to buy

 
  • Shop online and choose home delivery, or pick up from the Hospice
  • Rotherham Hospice has 5 charity shops stocking a wide range of brand new cards and diaries, as well as lots of pre-loved bargain gifts. You’ll find them in Rotherham Town Centre, Herringthorpe, Wickersley, Dinnington & Wath.
  • There will be several pop-up shops at Rotherham Hospice:
    • Thursday, 2nd November, 4-7pm
    • Tuesday, 7th November, 4-7pm
    • Wednesday, 15th November, 4-7pm

 Come and see us on Broom Road, Rotherham, we’d love to say hello!

Why your support matters

 

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can’t do it without our amazing supporters like you.

£20, £50 or £100 raised could make a big difference to Rotherham Hospice

Matched Giving and how it works

Matched Giving and how it works

Matched Giving and how it works

At the heart of matched giving is the idea that every donation can go further. When individuals donate to Rotherham Hospice, their contributions are matched by their employer, effectively doubling the impact of their generosity. This means that even modest donations can make a substantial difference in the Hospice’s ability to provide essential palliative care services to those in need.

Matched giving programs also create a sense of community engagement, where employees and businesses come together to support a common cause.

Lyndsey Dunworth works for Natwest and has been involved in the Hospice in many ways.

“Rotherham Hospice is a charity very close to my heart and whenever there is an opportunity to help in anyway then I will always volunteer my time.  I know how hard everyone there works and I feel passionately about supporting my local community.”

Whether she volunteers her time or hosts a fundraiser at work, Lyndsey’s employers match her hard work:

“I am very lucky to be supported by my employer to volunteer during work time and even further supported by them in terms of any fundraising or volunteering I do – they will match my fundraising and they will also give money to my chosen charity for volunteering hours.  This makes it really easy for me and my colleagues to go that extra mile and give back.”

Lyndsey is also part of a team taking part in the Alton Towers Half-Marathon this year for Rotherham Hospice! 

Matched giving with the Natwest volunteers
Sponsor Lyndsey

How you can find out if your employer offers Matched Giving

Feeling inspired by Lyndsey’s story? Why not find out if your employer offers matched giving! If you’re not sure where to start, here’s some helpful tips on

Check Company Intranet or HR Resources

One of the first steps employees can take is to explore their company’s internal resources. Many businesses communicate information about their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including matched giving, on their intranet or through human resources materials.

Ask HR or Management

Directly reaching out to your company’s HR department or management team is a straightforward way to ask about matched giving programs. They can provide details about the program’s eligibility criteria, matching ratios, and the process for participating.

Review Employee Benefits Handbook

Some companies include information about matched giving in their employee benefits handbooks. This resource often outlines the specifics of the program and provides guidance on how to participate.

Collaborate with Colleagues

Sometimes, colleagues who have previously participated in matched giving programs can provide valuable insights and guidance. They may be aware of the process and can help navigate the application or donation matching steps.

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice is the only adult Hospice in Rotherham – providing vital palliative care for the people of Rotherham and its surrounding villages. Last year, the Hospice made 8,787 home visits and saw 383 patients on our InPatient Unit. Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity that relies largely on the generosity of the people and businesses of Rotherham.

£20, £50 or £100 raised could make a big difference to Rotherham Hospice

If you want to find out more how you or your company can help Rotherham Hospice, reach out to us at fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk or call 01709 308 900!

Midnight Memory Walk 2024 – Early Bird Sign Up – OPEN

Early Bird registration now open for Midnight Memory Walk 2024

Midnight Memory Walk 2024 is coming!

Sign up by 31st March for the early bird price of just £12.50!

 
Enjoy a memorable night by taking part in the Midnight Memory Walk 2024 around Rotherham with lots of love and laughter.
 
Midnight Memory Walk 2024 is a fun and exciting experience where you can get together with old friends and make new ones while raising money in remembrance of your loved ones for Rotherham Hospice. 
 
Get dressed up as bright and colourful as you wish – we have lots of glitter to make you sparkle.
 

With your help, the Midnight Memory Walk will be our biggest event ever. By walking 10K through Rotherham in the middle of the night, you’ll be supporting people affected by end-of-life illnesses across Rotherham. Who will you walk for?

When

Saturday 22nd June 2024, starting midnight (ending Sunday 23rd June)

Where

10K through the streets of Rotherham, starting and ending at Magna, Rotherham.

Sign Up

Early bird sign-up

Sign up by 31st March for the early bird price of just £12.50!

Your early bird Midnight Memory Walk registration includes:

  • Midnight Memory Walk T-Shirt
  • Refreshments midway on the walk
  • A celebratory cuppa and a butty at the end
Sign Up
Early Bird registration now open for Midnight Memory Walk 2024

Volunteer

Are you interested in being part of our biggest event of the year, but don’t fancy walking 10 or 15K? 

As a charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on amazing volunteers to help to make the Midnight Memory Walk a fun and safe event. 

You could volunteer to:

  • be a midnight marshall to ensure walkers stay on the course
  • help register our walkers before the event begins
  • distribute Midnight Memory Walk T-shirts in the days before

If you would like to help the Hospice, please call 01709 308 700 and ask for fundraising, or email fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk.

Register to volunteer

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

How your fundraising helps Rotherham Hospice

Join the 100km Challenge for Rotherham Hospice

Run 100km for Rotherham Hospice in November

Join the 100km Challenge this November for Rotherham Hospice

We’re challenging you to run 100km in November whilst raising money for vital end-of-life care in Rotherham.

 
Get your FREE Rotherham Hospice running vest and 100km challenge Fundraising Pack when you sign up.
 
After you’re all signed up, join the 100km Challenge Facebook Group where you can:
 
👥 Share updates and photos with other participants
🏃‍♀️ Find exclusive running and fundraising tips
♥ Get help and advice on your fundraising from the Rotherham Hospice team!
 

How it works

run 100km for Rotherham Hospice

Join the Facebook group

Join the official 100km for Rotherham Hospice Facebook Group. Get help setting up your fundraising page, daily encouragement, and share updates and tips with other runners!

Join the FB Group
run 100km for Rotherham Hospice

Set up your fundraiser

Set up your online fundraising page on Enthuse so people can sponsor you for your 100km challenge.

 Don’t forget to tell people why you’re taking part!

Set up your fundraiser
run 100km for Rotherham Hospice

Get running

Donate as you reach milestones, or let your friends & family know they can sponsor you.

Anything you can raise will help Rotherham Hospice care for families going through an end-of-life illness. Thank you!

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services. We can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Once you’ve completed your 100km challenge, we’ll send you a virtual medal to thank you for your hard work, and for supporting Rotherham Hospice!

Find out more about how your support impacts Rotherham families here.

Sign up
£20, £50 or £100 raised could make a big difference to Rotherham Hospice

Sandra nominated for Pride of Britain for Rotherham Hospice

Sandra nominated for Pride of Britain for Rotherham Hospice

Sandra is our Pride of Britain!

Everyone at Rotherham Hospice wants to congratulate Sandra Jones, Manager of our Herringthorpe Charity Shop, who was recently nominated for the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards. 

Sandra was nominated in the Fundraiser of the Year category as recognition for everything she does for Rotherham Hospice and her local community around Herringthorpe. 

Sandra is passionate about helping her local community,  starting as a volunteer for Rotherham Hospice over 10 years ago. She later became Assistant Manager, then Manager of our Herringthorpe charity shop.

It's a little shop with a big heart that's what we always say. The customers, the volunteers, everyone – absolutely amazing.

Sandra Jones, Rotherham Hospice Shop Manager
Sandra, shop manager for Rotherham Hospice is nominated for Pride of Britain

As a charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on its shops to raise money needed to care for local people and their loved ones going through an end-of-life illness. It’s thanks to people like Sandra that our charity shops are more than just places to find pre-loved treasure at bargain prices.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Vicki explains, “It’s patients and families of patients that have passed away that go into these shops and that’s quite a sensitive time for them. Without realising it, they can be in floods of tears so Sandra and her team and all the other volunteers in shops, they have to be a listening ear sometimes and a comforting ear.”

Sandra puts her all into making everyone feel welcome in the shop. Thank you for all your effort!

Stephen King, Director of Fundraising for Rotherham Hospice

Sandra made it to the final four nominations for Pride of Britain for the Yorkshire & Humber region and was featured on ITV Calendar News. Well done Sandra from everyone at Rotherham Hospice and all the people whose lives you’ve touched!

Inspired by Sandra's story?

Volunteering is a brilliant way to learn new skills, meet new people and feel good in the knowledge you are giving back to your local community.

Rotherham Hospice has all kinds of different volunteering opportunities available, from shop assistant, to bereavement counsellor to volunteer gardener. 

Our volunteers get as much out of volunteering as they put in, and are an essential part of ensuring Rotherham Hospice can support our local families.

Learn more about Volunteering